Onda Latina

The KUT Longhorn Radio Network Presents: Mexican American Experience Collection

Audio recordings including interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns in the series "The Mexican American Experience" and "A esta hora conversamos" from the Longhorn Radio Network, 1976-1982.

Educating undocumented children

Linda Fregoso discusses the education of undocumented children and the implications of the upcoming Supreme Court case that will determine if all children, regardless of immigration status, in the United States are entitled to free public education. Peter Schey, an attorney representing the undocumented children, explains that lesser courts historically have found that all people in the United States are entitled to fundamental constitutional protection. However, Mark White, the Texas attorney general, explains that people who enter illegally do not have the same privileges as legal citizens. Peter Schey counters that without constitutional protections, undocumented immigrants could be vulnerable to torture and execution because the Bill of Rights would not protect them. Moreover, Mr. Lopez, an undocumented immigrant whose children have been excluded from Austin’s public schools, argues that he pays taxes and does not receive any services in return. Fregoso explains that question in dispute is: who has responsibility to pay for the education of undocumented children? While White believes it is the federal government’s responsibility, Schey explains that responsibility lies with the state.

In Austin, two University of Texas graduate students, Nestor Rodriguez and Rogelio Nuñez organized an alternative school for undocumented children in an East Austin Catholic church. The two students discuss their efforts to enroll undocumented children in public schools and how they set up their alternative school. Rodriguez, Nuñez, and Shay also discuss the potential consequences of denying undocumented children an education.